tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346175542012-02-16T21:03:02.398-05:00All about traditional sailmaking and current news for classic sailing vessels, ships and schooners.HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-87123729779202977612011-06-15T06:16:00.002-04:002011-06-15T06:31:18.925-04:00

I spend a LOT of time thinking about fabric. In fact I woke up at 4am thinking about Clipper Cloth. This is actually good because the company is in the UK, so I could give them a call. Clipper Cloth is amazing. It is also a real pain to get. I like to order waaaay early. There is an order for me that they SAY is there and they are LOVELY people so I want to believe them, but I have waited

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-72225739286753426142011-05-02T13:41:00.002-04:002011-05-02T13:49:42.231-04:00

Well my husband and I were discussing sails(surprise)and how they are petroleum products and we were stuck with it. Or are we?There is organic duck available. It is expensive and it isn't as heavy as I would like, but we are going to build a suit for our 30' gaffer. Just a main and a stays'l. I know there is hemp line available. We plan to "tanbark" these sails in hopes to have them last

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-5047055884329399562007-01-13T18:07:00.000-05:002007-01-13T18:14:06.032-05:00

I am bidding on a big job. This is fun, I get to think about fabric, bolt rope, hardware, what kind of sailing and what kind of boat this big job will be. Not so fun.....measuring. Measuring bad. I have screwed up. Twice. I do feel that in 23+ years that isn't bad but still so humiliating. Once with someone who swore they could give me good measurements, but would never discuss tack

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-28787832236494122262007-01-08T06:52:00.000-05:002007-01-08T06:58:07.898-05:00

This week I am thinking about gaff sails. I have a customer who was wondering if lashing, hoops or slides were better for his gaff main and mizzen. Good question.Slides are tough because they keep the sail very close to the mast and I have found that the throat will then need to be fiddled with(making the slide farther from the mast) and sometimes this is true with the tack as well.Lashing can

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-47240860469343876082006-12-11T05:51:00.000-05:002006-12-11T05:58:55.798-05:00

Very sad news for the family of the 25 year old woman who was lost overboard the Picton Castle. The ship was southeast of Cape Cod. A freak wave washed over the deck. Being in the Gulf Stream the hope of survival is longer.The Picton Castle is a wonderful ship, an able ship and I know that they have put their all into finding this young woman. The ship and the coast guard are searching.My

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-75714722590726869652006-11-29T08:02:00.000-05:002006-11-29T08:09:05.330-05:00

Bay City Michigan may get a maritime museum a la Mystic Seaport. Today's Bay City Times reports on the concept as presented to city commissioners.Bay City may anchor its vacant Uptown at RiversEdge site with a Maritime Heritage Center that builds on the success of recent tall ships festivals held here.Supporters of the idea include officials from Bay City, Dow Corning Corp., the Bay Area

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-34724959978648454222006-11-28T22:07:00.000-05:002006-11-28T22:17:48.526-05:00

Heidi --- I just saw this article this evening. The tall ship Lady Washington was a big hit in Monterey; nice photo of her sailing in.Dear readers, Heidi is very reticent to blow her own horn, but I'm not shy. I want to goad her into telling us more about the Lady. Heidi is intimately acquainted with the Lady, having made many of her sails.Hundreds of young children tromped across its decks

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-83234447492383905722006-11-27T15:22:00.000-05:002006-11-28T22:04:50.060-05:00

Yuck! I am washing the running rigging for my gaff cutter. This is all 3 strand Dacron line. Everything is dingy, salty and stiff. What I do is soak the line in Ivory snow and then dry in the sun.As each piece of line is dried I will end for end it and resplice. You can get alot of life from your running rigging this way and it is safer.This is a thankless job, but someone has to do it.Fair

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-75470344640531986252006-11-23T08:14:00.000-05:002006-11-28T22:00:26.436-05:00

It is Thanksgiving morning. I am thankful this morning, I don't have to go to the sail loft. My family and friends are mostly healthy and happy, we are warm and dry.What are you thankful for?

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-54744917818632598922006-11-17T10:31:00.000-05:002006-11-28T21:59:46.939-05:00

Today I sit at my dining room table designing sails for a cat ketch. Two problems are really bugging me. One is the cost of sailcloth and how can I charge this much! The other is bolt ropes. Should this sail have bolt ropes?On a big sail I feel really strongly about bolt ropes. The sail is protected and the grommets have something to lean on when under strain. On a HUGE sail like a main I

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-50360141648899180702006-11-11T07:36:00.000-05:002006-11-28T21:48:58.436-05:00

Last week I was cutting out a Genoa. A nice cross mitred-cross cut, #7 Oceanus with a a roller furling, so also a suncover. Talking to the staff about thread. What did I want?Well this sail is going on an off-shore wooden heavy ketch. I feel that with the sun exposure and and use, the stronger the better. We went with a v-92 thread and v-138 on the suncover.Oceanus is forgiving, needle holes

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-14156726306898477792006-11-02T08:14:00.000-05:002006-11-02T08:25:03.401-05:00

Everyone once in a while I have a year like I'm having this year, one that seems to have a theme. As the title suggests I have had a lot of sprits'ls, lugs'ls, and gunters ranging from 28 square feet to over 300 square feet. Most of the sails have been built using Oceanus, Contender cream, Contender colors have also been used.Most of my customers are looking for the traditional details on these

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-57355769595383574922006-10-29T16:17:00.000-05:002006-10-29T16:37:31.562-05:00

Who better to undertake a serious discussion of the development of the "Bermuda rig" than the Bermudians! In friday's Bermuda Royal Gazette, Dr. Edward Harris, Director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum, examines Bermuda's role in development of the sail configuration "which transformed forever the way in which boats are sailed.The fastest boat afloatHERITAGE MATTERS by DR. EDWARD HARRIS

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-35538356726865380442006-10-22T08:42:00.000-04:002006-10-22T09:08:11.922-04:00

Want the tall ship experience without the riggors of sail training? Today's Detroit Free Press spotlights a vacation aboard the schooner Yankee Clipper. A week on the YC would be a great vacation, but wouldn't a season on the YC be a great job!!??Cruising under sail is adventureOctober 22, 2006BY GARY A. WARNERORANGE COUNTY REGISTERMonday morning, the passengers of the Yankee Clipper, a former

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-87913258360475977682006-10-21T23:27:00.000-04:002006-10-21T23:39:58.298-04:00

Another Bluenose? A news item from the Chronicle Herald in Halifax reveals a very confused situation regarding any plans for Bluenose III.Future foggy for third BluenoseOriginal designer’s relative disturbed by tourism minister’s commentsBy BEVERLEY WARE South Shore BureauLUNENBURG — The great-granddaughter of the man who designed the Bluenose is "disturbed and disappointed" by comments made by

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-25312700700283448972006-10-18T17:27:00.000-04:002006-10-18T17:36:53.725-04:00

Wow!!! Here it is! I said I would keep an eye out for a photo of the new tall ship poles and ropes course in Worcestershire in Britain, and I found it.LAND-locked Worcestershire could become one of the best places in the country for young people to find their sea legs. The county council's Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre, near Wychbold, has opened a poles course that is designed to

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-2360892359272830322006-10-18T08:05:00.000-04:002006-10-18T08:17:20.203-04:00

UMass Dartmouth is taking registrations through 10/27 for SEAmester on the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts.SEAmester is a challenging and rewarding semester at sea program aboard the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts. No prior sailing experience necessary. The voyage will sail over 3,000 miles in nine weeks, stopping at carefully selected ports of call to correspond with the curriculum of the

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-22389785627259585862006-10-17T12:56:00.000-04:002006-10-18T10:14:58.452-04:00

It was really fun for me to see that great photo of the schooner Lynx. I was fortunate to be working for Nat Wilson Sailmakers (sorry, no website) when she was being built, and we built the sails. The boat is incredible and the sails are really wonderful, if I do say so (Oceanus sailcloth, by the way). We had a good time and even got to go to the boat to do some work while she was still at

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-64414074464458527632006-10-17T08:01:00.000-04:002006-10-18T10:23:47.210-04:00

A couple of things today: The Salinas Californian reports the Lynx was at Moss Landing for tours last weekend. That's a great photo. And The Delaware News Journal reports on the nomination of the skipjack Martha Lewis for Historic Site registration.MOSS LANDING - Dozens of land lubbers and young, aspiring swashbucklers Friday stepped onto the deck of the Lynx, a replica of an early 19th century

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-55845484580617414902006-10-13T17:31:00.001-04:002006-10-18T10:05:50.339-04:00

Surprisingly there are a lot of sailcloth options for us who prefer a classic look and a softer hand.Lately most people have been requesting Oceanus made by North Cloth. I like it. It lasts well doesn't stretch too badly, and seems to really hold up to UV. Duradon made in Scotland is another choice, really for the big boats. This cloth has a good hand, but doesn't hold up as well in the sun

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-13778688734527116502006-10-12T13:39:00.000-04:002006-10-13T19:30:54.605-04:00

Hey isn't this cool? I have been reading in other blogs about tall ship training, and doesn't this seem like a great skill if you are going the big boat route?LAND-LOCKED Upton Warren could become one of the best places in the country for young people to gain the skills that will earn them their sea legs.Worcestershire County Council's Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre, off Worcester Road,

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-37789733260047909232006-10-11T13:57:00.000-04:002006-10-11T14:08:46.864-04:00

More tall ship news today. The Bermuda Royal Gazette announces a lecture on the building of the tall ship, Spirit of Bermuda:Sloop Foundation to lecture on building the Spirit The Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport has joined forces with the Bermuda National Gallery to sponsor the popular Wednesday Lunchtime Lecture series for 2006-2007.The weekly lecture series highlights programming

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-81368977390025364622006-10-11T10:55:00.000-04:002006-10-11T11:07:56.107-04:00

A couple of fun things happening this weekend. The Amistad will be in Poughkeepsie Thursday through Saturday. And on the Chesapeake, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race will start on Thursday just south of the Bay Bridge.Here comes the Amistad -A replica of a 19th-century schooner set to dock in Poughkeepsie Thursday will put Dutchess County in touch with its history of slavery while

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-49873757003106840152006-10-07T13:33:00.000-04:002006-10-13T19:20:13.275-04:00

I have been thinking about those of you who purchase sails, canvas and rigging. The recent article in Cruising World was informative, but did anyone notice it was only about the "big boys"? There are so many local sailmakers that it would be hard to include us all, however....not even one?There are many to chose from, racing, cruising, traditional, the do-it-all lofts, canvas only and rigging

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-57355718901424141832006-10-07T08:51:00.000-04:002006-10-07T08:57:34.464-04:00

Hey everybody, the ASTA is coming up. We at HA Sawyer sailmaker have had staff attend in the past and hope to again. We have made some of the sails that are on the USCGC Barque Eagle and it would be exciting to hear Captain Sinnett.The theme of this year’s conference is “Measuring Success” and there are lots of exciting prsentations scheduled including an opening keynote by Captain Christopher

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1251805930688314662006-10-06T15:26:00.000-04:002006-10-06T15:36:56.144-04:00

HA Sawyer Sailmaker - We are a small loft in midcoast Maine, specializing in traditional sails for classic sailboats of all kinds. In our dealings with customers we believe in honesty and integrity. Communication with customer is of the highest importance as we build a custom sail.In the past year, we have built sails ranging in size from 47 square feet to almost 2300 square feet. The boats run

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1159502625138177902006-09-28T23:36:00.000-04:002006-09-29T00:12:26.016-04:00

This summer the canal schooner Lois McClure drew the attention of 30,000 visitors to the Hudson River. Perhaps next summer she can work the same magic for the 524-mile New York State Canal System.A canal boat that drew 30,000 visitors when it toured the Hudson River this summer will sail on the New York State Canal system in 2007 to draw tourists to businesses in canal towns. The "Lois McClure,

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1159409764271219102006-09-27T21:45:00.000-04:002006-09-27T22:36:17.956-04:00

The residents of Windsor, Ontario will have the chance to sail on and tour the Fair Jeanne this coming weekend, before she continues on her way to the Caribbean.Sep 29, 2006 to Oct 2, 2006 - The famous Tall Ship from Ottawa, Ontario named The Fair Jeanne will be docked at Dieppe Gardens Sept.29-Oct.2nd for tours and to pick up passengers for trips going to Chicago and all the way to the Caribbean

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1158925466888338692006-09-22T07:35:00.000-04:002006-09-22T09:35:51.566-04:00

Tall ship fans - mark this on your calendars. The Schooner Amistad will be in Poughkeepsie for two weekends in October. Along with ship tours, there will be lots of other exhibits and events. Check it out at the Poughkeepsie Journal:Dutchess County's role in the Underground Railroad and its history of using slaves on farms will take center stage next month when a replica of a ship that has

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1158803292021682222006-09-20T21:24:00.000-04:002006-09-20T22:08:07.103-04:00

Hi, K W Kerr here -I'm helping out Heidi with posting vintage yacht and tall ship news links here from time to time, and for the past week I have been watching the news about the tall ships in Lewes, Delaware. The Sail Lewes Festival is part of the Lewes 375th anniversary celebration. Five tall ships gathered in Lewes over last weekend, giving tours Friday through Sunday.Today a great article

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1158606826922146362006-09-18T15:07:00.000-04:002006-09-20T21:49:55.616-04:00

Vintage Sails is the fourth stage of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2006 Circuit. News just in the third day of the event finally resulted in good weather and a beautiful race. I have been looking at photos, and there are so many gorgeous classic yachts, I hardly know where to begin. I have posted here this nice photo of Moonbeam and Mariquita (click the link for the giant version).

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617554.post-1158587229204935142006-09-18T09:43:00.000-04:002006-09-18T09:47:09.213-04:00

Good morning fellow sailors! Welcome to the Classic Sailmaker blog, this is the place where I want to share information about traditional sailmaking, ships, schooners and sailboats of all sizes.

HA Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02238136628204655207noreply@blogger.com0